Dublin manager Jim Gavin will be without defender Kevin O’Brien after it was confirmed today that he has suffered a cruciate injury.

O’Brien’s worst fears have been confirmed with the news that he tore his cruciate ligament while playing for Dublin IT in the Sigerson Cup yesterday.

Scans revealed he suffered damage to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in his right knee after he was rushed to Beaumont Hospital following the injury against UUJ at Parnells GAA club.

The 2012 U21 All-Ireland winning captain burst onto the senior scene last year in the Leinster final again Meath and would be been pushing for a championship place in a highly competitive back division.